Virgin London Marathon
Introduction
MacIntyre Housing Association holds 5 Golden Bond places each year for the London Marathon. Runners with a Golden Bond place are guaranteed entry to the London Marathon. If you would like to apply for one of these places you will need to apply early as competition is fierce!
Obviously, we hope that our runners will raise as much money as possible but at a minimum would ask our runners to raise £1,000.
Our Runners for 2010
George Giraffe
I did my first ever race on 23 March 1997 which was a fun run and have been hooked ever since.
I moved onto participating in fancy dress in just my fourth race starting out as Oscar the Ostridge, followed by Shaun the Sheep, Bob the Banana and in 2000 I created George the Giraffe which was a 10 year project.
Discovering the world or race participation has been a life changing and rewarding experience and hope to step up to triathlons next year as an added challenge.
George the Giraffe has been a big hit with spectators around the country and although George reaches the grand old age of 10 years, there are plenty more years left in him yet. This year’s London Marathon will be my 95th career race and my 12th consecutive London Marathon.
My career goal is to reach 25 consecutive London Marathons and maybe, just maybe I will think about hanging up my giraffe in 2023.
Kevin Flack
I am 36 years old and have been married to Sarah for 7 years. We have 2 boys, Oliver aged 5 and Edward aged 3. I currently work for CMR Fuel Cells near Cambridge as a Senior Laboratory Technician.
I have always been a keen runner and it has always been a personal goal of mine to participate in the London Marathon as I feel that a Marathon is the ultimate test of mental and physical endurance. I have chosen to run for MacIntyre Housing Association because I believe that it is important to support a locally based charity. I hope that the money I raise will go some way to improving the lives of adults with learning disabilities.
Simon Johnson
Thank you MacIntyre Housing Association (MHA) for offering me a place in your London Marathon charity raising team. I am really looking forward to raising the money, and of course training for, and running the marathon. I have run the marathon once before in 2006 - although it was pouring with rain, the day was amazing and really opened my eyes to the strength of the event - there was a huge amount of positive emotion and energy throughout the day from everyone I met.
I am 31 years old (32 on Christmas Eve), and am a Sales Manager for a Software Development company called Red Gate Software, based in Cambridge. I am passionate about technology and sport. I play a lot of football, and follow Everton FC as much as possible. I previously ran the Marathon in 3 hours 52 mins, and am really keen to beat my PB if possible.
My partner Gemma has just given birth to our first baby boy, Henry. I can't wait to see Gemma, Henry and the rest of the family all together in London at the marathon. I am running the marathon with my brother-in-law Kevin Flack, and see this as a great opportunity to bring the family together in this event.
MHA is a great charity, and rather unique I feel in what it offers. I am proud to be raising money on behalf of the charity. I now live in Cambridge. However, I grew up in St. Neots, which is very close to Bedford where MHA is based. It feels a bit more personal to be associated with a charity so close to where my family live.
Our Runners for 2009
Hollie Slaughter and Mark Seller
Running the marathon is something we have always wanted to do so when we were given the opportunity to do it we jumped at the chance. We are both very into our fitness and together with Mark’s knowledge and my determination we are sure to succeed the 42 Kilometre round trip!
We chose to run for MHA as it is a charity that needs our support. We are both teachers so with the sponsorship of our pupils and colleagues we will be able to raise the money that MacIntyre deserves. I also grew up in Bedfordshire and my family live in the area so it is great to know that the money we raise will be going somewhere close to our hearts.
Also, we are getting married next year so training for the marathon will guarantee great looking bottoms on the day!
Wish us luck!
Marcus Olozulu
I recently joined MacIntyre Housing Association as a supported housing officer and in the short time I have been working here have found it really interesting and a worthwhile occupation with an Association which has an excellent reputation. I can’t think of a better organisation to raise money for and help tenants who have a learning disability.
Also, my selfish reason is that I am fast approaching my 40th birthday and it would be a great achievement to run and finish the London marathon before my 40th!
Flora Light Challenge for Women - Kim Wharton
Along with 25,000 other women Aileen, Ann, Kathryn, Mel and Kim took part in the Flora Light Challenge for Women in Hyde Park, London in September 2004. We completed the 5k circuit and raised funds to buy some essential household items for tenants.
